The Swiss Guard is under investigation for allegedly insulting two Jewish women at the Vatican during a papal audience when a guard made a contemptuous gesture towards them, imitating spitting, the Italian news agency ANSA reported, quoted by BTA.
“An incident was reported at one of the security stations and, as is the case in such cases, an internal investigation has been launched“, Corporal Elia Chinotti, spokesman for the Papal Swiss Guard, told ANSA.
“This is standard procedure because the service must always be carried out with the utmost professionalism“, Chinotti said.
Regarding the content of the investigation, he explained that it is an internal investigation and remains confidential. The alleged incident took place at the entrance to the Arch of Bells on October 29.
The same day marked the anniversary of “Nostra Aetate“, Pope Paul VI“s 1965 declaration on relations with non-Christian religions, and the square was filled with representatives of other religions, including a large Jewish group.
“We entered through a side entrance to “St. Peter“s Square“ as part of an international Jewish delegation. A member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard visibly hissed at us “les juifs“ (Jews), and then made a gesture towards us as if he were spitting on us as an obvious expression of contempt“, said Michal Govrin, an Israeli writer and theater director who attended the event.
If the incident is confirmed by the internal investigation, drastic measures can be envisaged.
“The Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights it in the name of the Gospel itself“, Pope Leo XIV said at the same audience, which took place on October 29.
The statement was greeted with prolonged applause.